Omniscius [Genshin Impact]

29: The Throne of the Phoenix

A few days passed and no more attacks or attempts at Soleil were made. The enemy must have ceased and although Childe had permitted Soleil to leave when she pleased, he still bids her to keep an eye out.

Soleil's first stop was the floating pagoda above Yujing Terrace. She had passed by a few people and gave a few smiles and nods before approaching a man standing near a small stone platform inlaid with green plaustrite underneath.

"Heya," Soleil said to the man, "Do you sell the moon here?"

The man had a look of understanding. "But of course! How many would you like?" he asked.

"'How many' will not suffice. For the moon I know is red, not white," Soleil answered with a mysterious glint in her eyes.

The man nodded, "Well said, Advisor. Please step into the platform. Lady Ningguang has been expecting you."

"Thank you," Soleil smiled and trotted unto the stone platform. A few seconds later and the platform rumbled, vibrating until it slowly ascended towards the floating structure above.

Soleil gazed down to see the full view of the harbor. The higher she went, the more she could see. By the time she reached the pagoda, she had been able to see up until the wharf where the ships dock.

The platform fit like a jigsaw puzzle into the empty space in front of the pagoda. Soleil was met by two patrolling Millelith soldiers. They stood straight and tapped their polearms against the stone ground.

"Welcome, Advisor," they said in acknowledgement. "Ahaha," Soleil laughed nervously, "There's no need for formalities. Is Lady Ningguang inside?"

"Yes, Advisor. Please proceed inside. She's been waiting for a while," one of the Millelith soldiers said.

"Okay," Soleil smiled. She gave them a small wave of the hand before walking into the double doors, sliding it open and close as she did.

The smell of smoke was what greeted Soleil first. Tendrils of gray white smoke slithered in the air along with the smell of indoor ornamental plants. Parchment was also evident as Soleil passed by a few open offices where Baishi happened to be in.

Soleil walked into the largest room with a circular, arching doorway. There, she found Ningguang gazing out a window with her smoke pipe in her right hand. Her left arm was across her stomach.

Soleil opened her mouth to quip a remark when she noticed the dull glimmer in Ningguang's ruby eyes. There was a distant and wistful look one could rarely see in the formiddable Tianquan's face.

Did something happen? Soleil thought before going with a knock on the arched doorway.

"Knockie knock," she said. Ningguang side-glanced before turning her head, "Ah. Soleil. I see you received my invitation."

"It was more of an implied order, but yeah. I got invited, alright," Soleil said playfully. Ningguang blew out smoke as she giggled lightly.

"Audacious as ever," she said. Then, Ningguang got serious as she returned to her desk, "Word has spread about an attempted assassination on you in Wanmin Restaurant."

"It was a loud scene. 'Assassination' isn't the best word to use," Soleil replied, "It's bound to catch attention."

"I heard you were injured. How are you feeling?" Ningguang asked. Her eyes fell on the gauze around Soleil's arm underneath the sleeves of her coat.

"It was a few scratches. Nothing too serious," Soleil answered. Ningguang nodded, "That is good to hear. I should look into the matter as well."

She looked through some papers as smoke left her red lips gently. Soleil tilted her head in wonder as she watched Ningguang's movements.